Tent-pole



(No Model.)

A. S. GOMSTOCK. TENT POLE.

No. 516,078. Patented Mar. 6, i894.

Wwfm

PATENT ALPHONSO S. GOMSTOCK, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

TENT-POLE.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 516,078, dated March 6, 1894. Application filed September 25, 1893. Serial No. 486,390. (No modele To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHoNso S. Goirsroon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tent-Poles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an extensible tent pole, or, in other words, a tent pole that may be lengthened or shortened in order to cornpensate for such variations in the length of the guy ropes of the tent as are due to atmospheric changes, and the obj ect of the said invention is to improve, simplify and cheapen the construction of such poles.

The invention consists in certain features of novelty that are particularly pointed out inthe claims, and in order that it may he fully understood I will describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and in which- Figure l is a vertical tsection of a tent having a pole embodying the invention, the pole being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion ot` a pole embodying the invention, the scale being larger than in Fig. l.

Formed directly in the extremity of the tent pole B is a centrally located bore or socket b which is without screw threads and is of sufcient diameter to easily admit a screw C which in turn is provided with a broad toot or bearing A. This foot I prefer to make of a short piece of material similar to that of which the pole is made, the screw being simply driven into it. Fitting upon' the screw, between its foot and the extremity of the pole, is a thumb-nut D, and between the thumb-nut and the extremity of the pole is a washer E. Thus arranged the screw C becornes incorporated in and makes apart of the pole, and thus constructed the pole may be lengthened or shortened, as desired, by turning the thumb-n ut in one direction or the other as may be necessary. l locate the screw atthe extremity of the pole because the tendency to lateral iexure is less there than at any point nearer the center, and by locating it at the bottorn the part A becomes a mere foot. sired, this foot may be cated by dotted lines, or of any other shape.

if deof the character indidesired The lower end of foot A is rounded oft in order to insure its seating firmly. The threads of the screw C terminate some distance from its extremity, in order to make it impossible to completely withdraw the screw from the socket byan adjustment of the nut, and the extent ot the Unthreaded portion c is such as will insure an ample lateral bearing between the screw and pole B. The pole B and foot A are connected by a flexible strap or cord F, which prevents them from sepa rating far enough to withdraw the screw from the socket when the pole is not in use. It is immaterial, so far as the present invention is concerned, whetherA the pole B be formed of a single length or of a number of lengths united end to end. Vhen desired the screw C, with its foot and adjusting nut D. may be made and sold as a separate article of manufacture, to be applied to tent poles in the manner already described.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In combination, a tent pole havingalongitudinal 4socket formed directly in its extremity, a screw, a portion of which occupies said socket, said screw being of less diameter than the pole, a broad bearing for the projecting end of the screw, and a nut. adjustable on the screw and adapted to bear against the extremity of the pole, substantially as set forth.

2. ln combination, a tent pole having a longitudinal socket formed directly in its extremity, a screw, a portion of which occupies said socket, and a nut adj ustable on the screw, the projecting end of the screw being provided with a foot rounded on the under side and adapt-ed to bear upon the ground, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a tent pole havinga longitudinal socket formed directly in its extremity, a screw, a portion of which tits loosely in said socket, a nut located on the screw and adapted to bear against the extremity of the pole, a foot for said screw, and a flexible connection between the pole and foot for preventing their separating far enough to withdraw the screw, substantially as set forth.

ALPHONSO S. CMSTOGK.

Witnesses: A

L. M. HOPKINS, J. I-IALPENNY. 

